Latest publications
36 publications, newest first. Also available as an Atom feed, a JSON feed and through the API.
- OT-2026-000000037
This disclosure describes a shuttle system for automated storage and retrieval that incorporates a buffer position for aisle handover. The system addresses throughput loss caused by a shuttle waiting for lift availability, which can block an entire aisle. A dedicated buffer allows shuttles to deposit or retrieve storag
- OT-2026-000000036
This disclosure describes a C-hook arrangement for handling wound coils, incorporating an eccentricity compensating suspension. The system addresses the problem of off-center coil pickup, which can cause the hook to tip, leading to damage to the coil edge during transport or removal from storage. The suspension mechani
- OT-2026-000000035
This disclosure describes a zero-gravity balancer system configured to prevent uncontrolled load movement when an operator releases a load that is not perfectly balanced in float mode. The system incorporates a grip sensor to determine operator engagement with the load or end effector. When an operator is gripping, the
- OT-2026-000000034
This disclosure describes a control system for a scissor lift table that employs two independent linear actuators to maintain platform levelness without a mechanical tie. The system utilizes continuous position feedback from each actuator to detect and correct positional deviations. A defined correction authority limit
- OT-2026-000000033
This disclosure describes an anti-sway control system for cranes that mitigates payload oscillation during hoisting and trolley travel. The system utilizes feedback from a rope angle sensor to dynamically adjust the acceleration and deceleration profiles of the crane's motion axes. By incorporating real-time rope lengt
- OT-2026-000000032
This disclosure describes a vacuum lifting system control arrangement designed to mitigate the risks associated with sudden vacuum supply loss. It integrates a vacuum reservoir and check valve to maintain load adhesion for a defined duration following supply interruption. A control unit monitors vacuum levels and activ
- OT-2026-000000030
This disclosure describes a power and free monorail carrier incorporating a pusher dog designed to disengage from the power chain under controlled overload conditions. The arrangement addresses the problem of stalled power chains or carrier damage that can occur when a carrier becomes jammed within the conveyor system.
- OT-2026-000000029
This disclosure describes methods for managing thermal conditions in a drum motor, particularly when operating in duty cycles characterized by frequent starts and stops, such as in accumulation conveyor systems. The arrangement addresses the issue of motor overheating due to transient heat generation that exceeds stead
- OT-2026-000000028
This disclosure describes a right-angle transfer system utilizing a lift-and-shift roller bank to receive articles, reorient them by 90 degrees, and discharge them. The system incorporates an article squaring mechanism that engages during the lift phase, ensuring articles are precisely aligned before transfer, thereby
- OT-2026-000000027
This disclosure describes a conveyor belt take-up system utilizing a constant force spring cartridge to maintain belt tension. The arrangement provides a substantially uniform tensioning force over its entire operating travel, eliminating the need for substantial headroom or a deep pit typically associated with gravity
- OT-2026-000000026
This disclosure describes a two-stage belt cleaning system designed to mitigate carryback material on conveyor belts. The arrangement features a primary scraper blade for bulk material removal and a secondary scraper blade mounted on a compliant mechanism for fine cleaning. This configuration addresses the problem of c
- OT-2026-000000025
This disclosure describes a modular fixturing base featuring an integrated, keyed grid for encoding and precisely reconstructing the positions of fixturing elements. The system addresses the challenge of accurately replicating complex fixture setups where conventional methods, relying solely on drawings, can introduce
- OT-2026-000000024
This disclosure describes a system for verifying the tool center point (TCP) of a robotic manipulator's end effector. A reference artifact featuring three precisely oriented touch planes is positioned within the robot's workspace. A contact-sensing tool engages each plane sequentially, and the robot's position encoder
- OT-2026-000000023
This disclosure describes an arrangement for reducing vibrational energy transmission from a powered hand tool body to its operator's hand. A handle assembly is mechanically decoupled from the main tool housing using compliant isolation elements. A tuned mass element, integrated within or rigidly attached to the handle
- OT-2026-000000022
This disclosure describes a plate handling tool designed to securely grip plates of varying thicknesses and weights. The tool employs an edge grip mechanism that dynamically adjusts gripping force in proportion to the suspended load, preventing both crushing of thin plates and slippage of heavy plates. It utilizes a me
- OT-2026-000000021
A zero point clamping interface incorporates an integrated seating confirmation port to verify the complete engagement of a workpiece pallet. This arrangement addresses the issue of out-of-tolerance machining that can occur when a pallet is clamped but not fully seated, which visually appears identical to a correctly s
- OT-2026-000000020
This disclosure describes a system for managing torque reaction forces generated by power fastening tools. A floating reaction arm mitigates the sudden impact transmitted to an operator's hand or wrist at the moment of fastener seating or tool shut-off. The system incorporates a controlled release mechanism that allows
- OT-2026-000000019
This disclosure describes a vacuum fixture system designed for securing drilling equipment to rough or uneven surfaces, such as cast or weathered concrete. The system incorporates a multi-stage compliant sealing element that maintains adhesion despite minor surface irregularities and localized leakage. A strategically
- OT-2026-000000018
This disclosure describes a mechanism for extending the payload capacity and acceleration performance of a Delta robot by counterweighting its upper arm linkage. Traditional Delta robots experience a significant reduction in acceleration capability as payload increases, primarily due to the inertia of the upper arm str
- OT-2026-000000017
This disclosure describes a vacuum fixture designed to reliably attach to irregular and rough surfaces, particularly cast or weathered concrete, which typically challenge conventional vacuum-based anchoring systems. The arrangement incorporates a highly compliant sealing element, an internal vacuum reserve volume to ma
- OT-2026-000000016
This disclosure describes an automated system for precisely inserting a component into a receiving aperture using force feedback. The system employs a spiral search pattern to locate the aperture, dynamically bounded by accumulated lateral force to prevent galling or damage. It differentiates between successful seating
- OT-2026-000000015
This disclosure describes a robotic grasp planning system designed to address challenges in automated handling of stacked cartons, particularly when neighboring cartons obstruct potential grasp approaches. It details a methodology for scoring the accessibility of carton faces, incorporating a clearance model to identif
- OT-2026-000000014
This disclosure describes a method for automated part insertion using a robotic manipulator. The system employs a force-controlled spiral search pattern to locate an aperture, mitigating issues associated with blind insertion. It differentiates between successful seating and jamming conditions by analyzing accumulated
- OT-2026-000000013
A method for planning robotic grasps on stacked cartons is disclosed, addressing situations where geometrically valid grasps fail due to obstructed approach paths. The system employs a vision system to model the carton stack and a grasp planning module to identify potential grasp faces. Each candidate face is assigned
- OT-2026-000000012
This disclosure describes a system for monitoring the separation distance between a robot and a human operator, employing a dynamically computed stopping contour instead of fixed safety zones. The system addresses the limitation of conventional fixed zones that often lead to premature robot stops or require oversized z
- OT-2026-000000011
A robotic end effector is disclosed, designed for handling diverse items with varying stiffness and irregular geometries. It integrates soft finger elements with a granular jamming layer to achieve adaptive compliance and tunable stiffness. This arrangement addresses the challenge of securely grasping both delicate, de
- OT-2026-000000010
This disclosure describes a vacuum gripper array designed to handle loads with varying porosity, preventing system-wide vacuum collapse due to localized leaks. Each vacuum pad incorporates an individual check valve to isolate it from the common vacuum manifold. A control unit monitors system vacuum and can identify con
- OT-2026-000000009
An apparatus for dispensing pallets from a stack is disclosed, designed to tolerate variations in pallet stringer board integrity and dimensions. It employs a tine-and-fork transfer mechanism that engages pallets without relying on precise stringer geometry, thereby preventing jams caused by damaged or non-standard str
- OT-2026-000000008
This disclosure describes an intermediate hanger bearing arrangement for screw conveyors handling abrasive bulk materials. The design addresses the common problem of premature bearing failure and subsequent conveyor outage by eliminating through-shaft lubrication and incorporating external flushing. The arrangement uti
- OT-2026-000000007
An automated goods-to-person picking station is described, featuring dual presentation bays and a shadowed pick face to enhance picking efficiency. This arrangement addresses the problem of operator idle time incurred while waiting for a subsequent item tote to be presented. By utilizing a bay alternation logic and pre
- OT-2026-000000006
A system for precise article induction onto a cross belt sorter carrier is disclosed. It addresses the problem of articles being misaligned, dropped, or split across multiple carriers due to induction timing that is not precisely synchronized with the physical position and pitch of the carriers. The arrangement utilize
- OT-2026-000000005
An arrangement for separating overlapping parcels on a conveyor system is disclosed. It utilizes a series of rollers, each comprising multiple independently driven bands, to create a speed gradient across the conveyor width. This differential speed causes parcels that are in contact or partially overlapped to separate
- OT-2026-000000004
This disclosure describes a pallet layer transfer head configured for handling full layers of packaged goods, such as cartons. It incorporates independently actuated side clamping mechanisms and a compliant layer contact surface. The arrangement addresses the problem of layer instability and collapse that can occur whe
- OT-2026-000000003
An adaptive zero pressure accumulation conveyor system is disclosed, designed to manage articles of varying lengths efficiently. The system dynamically adjusts accumulation zone boundaries based on real-time article length measurements, preventing jams and optimizing conveyor density. Each zone incorporates sensors and
- OT-2026-000000002
A pallet layer transfer head is described for handling layers of articles, such as cartons, which may exhibit instability. The arrangement incorporates independently retractable side clamps designed to maintain support for the outermost articles during layer release. This addresses the problem where a conventional, rig
- OT-2026-000000001
A self-correcting belt tracking system for conveyor applications is disclosed. It utilizes a pivoting idler assembly to steer the conveyor belt and maintain its central alignment. Belt edge position is continuously monitored by a non-contact sensor, which generates a signal proportional to lateral deviation. This signa